“What story are you going to tell?”
That simple question prodded me forward onto stage. My friend did not ask, “Are you going to tell a story?” She had heard all my stories. She believed that others should hear me too. She could not fathom why I would not just get up there.
Inside, my stomach was doing a jig. Four years ago, I attended the Florida Storytelling Festival for the first time. I was new to storytelling as a performance art. I didn’t know what to expect… but I just got up on stage. Even though I had doubts, I had someone here that believed in me! The most powerful gift anyone can give.
At the end of the festival, my friend said, “Everyone keeps thanking me for bringing you. I’m famous at the festival just for bringing you.”
I am grateful for those mentors in life that spur me to move forward, to get up on stage, to go for it. I soar because they hold me up. When I fall, they help me back up again.
Fast forward, I am now the president of the Florida Storytelling Association and helping to organize the Florida Storytelling Festival, January 23 – 26, 2020. Why? Because I believe in the power of storytelling as a healing art, a family art, a community art, and a performance art. Why? Because of the people that believe in me.
For all those storytellers out there, the Florida Storytelling Festival is a chance to:
- TELL your own story at the Story Swaps. Put your name in the hat. If you were like me, half of you will hope it gets drawn and the other half will be wondering how you got yourself into this.
- LISTEN to Professional Storytelling Performers that have honed the craft.
- LEARN at workshops.
- NETWORK with a community of storytellers from around the state.
Register online: flstory.com/festival
Find the schedule online at flstory.com/festival/festival-schedule
